GT Columns

Plus Letters to Good TimesMay Day Riots: The AftermathFrom The Hub ... City Council Too ReactionaryThe Mayor Says ...Knowing SubRosa BetterThe race is on. Well, almost. The much heralded AMGEN Tour of California kicks off this week and heads right into Santa Cruz Tuesday, May 18. Once again, GT has a great deal of information about the prestigious cycling race, which came through town for the first time last year. (And we’re so glad they’re heading back.) Thousands of people are expected to attend. This year’s Stage 3 finish line is right in front of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Some things to know: take note of this week’s AMGEN tour pullout. It has specific information on the event, including road closures, where to watch, the whole schedule and so much more. (You may even learn a few biking tips, too.) There’s plenty there, so dive in. In the meantime, with cycling fever in the air, we searched for inspiring locals making an impression on the cycling scene. You can find our star in this week’s cover story where Karen Kefauver explores the unique nature of cyclist Shelley Olds Evans. The woman is a dynamo and has her sights set on the 2012 Olympic Games. Here’s to her bright vision and many miles of cycling ahead. See you at the race.

This is our last week of Taurus, sign of Enlightenment. The Forces of Enlightenment are preparing for the Gemini Festival of Humanity. Thursday night is Taurus new moon. The Taurus personality-building seed thought is “Let struggle be undismayed.” Our personality learns the nature of form and matter through struggling with duality. Before the Soul directs the personality it too must learn about duality. From understanding duality, we learn discrimination and the ability to choose right from wrong, good from bad, light from dark. A mantra (the NGWS recite daily) from the Upanishads reflecting this is, “Lead us, oh Lord, from darkness to light, from the unreal to the real, from death to immortality.” Saturday, May 15 (observed May 13), is the United Nations International Day of Families. Families are the first community we experience. Family is a primary social unit and the foundation for society. It is an instrument (basic school) for education, culture, character building, ethics, virtues, responsibility and peace (or war). Through family we experience Ray 4, Harmony that emerges from Conflict. Humanity is Ray 4. Family, all types of families, is a crucible for learning. A village can be a family. The UN focus on families this year (2010) is “The impact of migration on families around the world,” as 214 million people have migrated to different countries in search of food, stability, employment and to escape war. Family members are left behind during migrations creating great emotional upheaval. As we ponder upon these ideas, and work to strengthen our family units, let us “open our hearts to the needs of migrants and their families.” Each family is a “holy family.” This Sunday, 4 pm, join Jozseph Schultz’s family of friends for his flower festival foods, 418 Front St. The Age of Aquarius is the Age of Flowers. For rez: www.10.cruzio.com/w10a091/ordering.html. See you there, everyone. Read more daily at Risa’s Esoteric Astrology Facebook.

Plus Letters to Good Times...Embracing the BestEarth Day InsultStrong Brew?It’s Take: 9 for the intrepid and ever-inventive Santa Cruz Film Festival. This week, our home-grown fest unleashes a wild array of unique films, many from local or locally affiliated filmmakers. In our ongoing coverage of the fest, GT spoke with some of the locals whose work made it into the festival this year. All their hard work and creativity is illuminated under the spotlight. But there’s more: The entire SCFF program is inside as well. In it, you will find everything there is to know about the fest in general—from informative capsules on each film to a list of parties, panel discussions and so much more. It promises to be a memorable outing so nab some tickets and enjoy. The fest opens May 6 and runs through May 15. Look for more exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage from GT in next week’s edition and also online. Let the drama begin ...

We are just as outraged and frustrated as you are about the recent violence that has descended upon our town. Between the shocking damage done in Downtown last weekend and the horrible news that another young person had his life cut short by senseless criminal activity, we have been inundated with requests by community members about what they can do to help and what the City Council is doing as well.

It is time that we all roll up our sleeves and get to work. The reality is that neither the City Council nor the police alone can solve the enormous challenges facing our city. We need to remember how this incredible place we all call home has risen to challenges before and know that we can do so again. But it will take unprecedented commitment and cooperation from people across this community.

It’s Mother’s Day Sunday. And so, from our heart, let us give thanks for our mothers. Let’s pray also for those who have lost their mothers, who never knew their biological mothers, mothers who adopted or were adopted. We also pray for families separated by wars, disasters or conflict. Mother’s Day morning is Pisces (compassion) moon with a v/c from 1:12 p.m. till 2:29 p.m. (Pacific time) when Aries moon begins. Planning the day around these energies helps the day be successful (or not). I suggest not giving mother gifts during the v/c. In Santa Cruz, Mother’s Day is also the Day of the Reskilling Expo, Temple Beth El, Aptos, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is a painting titled Mother of the World by Russian artist Nicholas Roerich. See: american-buddha.com/mother.world.htm. Note her covered eyes. In the Aquarian Age, when justice prevails, when women and men are equal, when the scales are balanced, perhaps the veil will be removed.

Plus Letters to Good Times... Sour NotesAbout That Meat ...A therapist—yes, it was mine—recently asked me: “When you think of “the best” things about Santa Cruz, what comes to mind?” I laughed. Well, the answer was simple: My therapist. The last one I had always fell asleep on me. This guy—not so much. So, life has improved. But seriously … I sat there for a moment and, in a deliciously vulnerable state of being, responded with this: “People can be who they want to be here … but what makes it best for me is that I have the freedom to be myself and create whatever the hell I want.” The depth of that openhearted, genuine admission moved us both to tears. (Actually, I may be projecting that last part onto my therapist, but you get the picture.) Needless to say, there was “movement.” But there always seems to be, creative or otherwise, in this great place we call Santa Cruz County.

Came to your party/ drank all your beer/ we’re a bad trip. —Camper Van BeethovenBy now, we are well familiar with the splendid machinations of the Tea Party. This well-publicized movement of fear and hatred that has co-opted their attention-grabbing demonstration theater straight out of a UC Santa Cruz protest manual, has managed to strike the fear of Darwin into every good-hearted believer of freedom and democracy.

Obama is finally striking back against these purveyors of insanity, and so should we. Which is why it’s time for a wholly different protest party. Tea and coffee are already spoken for. Herbal tea is nice, but maybe too nice. Wine would be good, but liberals have already been accused of elitism which is Republican speak for smart. Water, though entirely necessary to our survival, is simply no fun unless you’re naked and splashing in it. So we’re left with little choice but beer. Oh well …

We are in the midst of the Three Spring Festivals which are the foundations of the New World Religion forming as the Aquarian Age continues to unfold. In the past weeks we’ve experienced multiple planetary shifts, the purposes being to create the new Earth and the new world humanity is to work within. Sun entering Taurus (in Mercury retro) brought us Vulcan (Ray 1), the erupting Icelandic volcano and the resulting canceling of Europe’s air travel. Chiron in Pisces is helping us review and renew the visions and prophecies of the 1960s. Saturn opposite Uranus has changed time (there is no more time as we have known it) and continues to adjust the world economy. The full moons of Aries & Taurus called forth the Forces of Restoration (to restore the Plan on Earth) and Enlightenment (illuminating humanity’s minds to causal reality). And there’s more to come. At the Festival of Humanity (Gemini solar festival) Uranus (revolution) enters Aries (all things new), then Jupiter enters Aries (and the Aquarian Age truly begins), Saturn will conjunct Pluto (continued transformation of all structures).

Health Screening

Leo Sun; Full Moon, Venus Retro in Leo; Saturn Direct

It’s a complex week of planetary movements, challenges, demands and callings. We’re in the time of the Leo Sun. Leo—fixed fire, gold, the heart, generous, strong, noble, the king/queen—needs appreciation and praise from everyone in order to move forward. During Leo we gain a greater sense of self-identification by recognizing our creativity. It’s therefore a perfect time for Venus retrograding in Leo. In Venus retrograde we review and re-assess values. Venus retro in Leo concerns our self as valuable, acknowledging talents, gifts, abilities and offerings. Friday, Venus re-enters Leo (29 degrees, a critical degree) continuing the retrograde to 14 degrees Leo on Sept. 6.
Friday (Full Moon) is also the (8 degrees) Leo solar festival, Festival of the Future. Leo is the heart of the sun, the heart of all that matters. When attuned to this heart, we have understanding and inclusivity. The heart of the Lion is Mitra (think “Maitreya,” the coming World Teacher). Leo prepares humanity to receive divine love from subtle sources and later to radiate that love to the kingdoms. Sirius, Ray 2, where love originates, streams through Regulus (heart of Leo), into the heart of the sun (Ray 2) and into all hearts. The heart of Leo is Regulus. Joining Venus, the love underlying all of creation appears.
Saturday is Sun/Neptune (confusion or devotion) with late night Saturn turning stationary direct. Ideas, plans and structures held long in abeyance (since March 14) slowly move forward. (Read more on Leo and the week at nightlightnews.org and Risa D’Angeles’ Facebook page, accessed through my website.)

The New Tech Nexus

Community leaders in science and technology unite to form web-based networking program

Holy Cannoli

Is Santa Cruz turning into Malibu North?

It's got a ways to go before it gets wrecked like Malibu, but I think we need to be very careful about growth.
Maria Mattioli, Santa Cruz, Psychotherapist

Bargetto Winery

A much-anticipated annual event at Bargetto Winery is the release of their very special La Vita red wine. June 7 was the day to be heralded this year, and I happily squeezed my car into their overloaded car park in eager anticipation of tasting the new La Vita nectar.